2021 Carlisle Pagani Ranch Zinfandel [JD95][WS94][V90-92]

Producer: Carlisle Winery
Region: Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California
Varietal: Zinfandel
Year: 2021 

Jeb Dunnuck, 95 Points 

"A youthful hue of electric ruby with purple highlights, the 2021 Zinfandel Pagani Ranch is highly aromatic and jumps out of the glass with wild strawberries, pink peppercorn, blueberry, and minty herbs. Medium to full-bodied, with a velvety texture, ripe tannins, and supple richness in its notes of violets, cherry, and cedar, it’s a well-balanced and potent style to drink 2025-2035."

Wine Spectator, 94 Points 

"Brooding and dark, yet light on its feet, this Zinfandel overflows with flavors and aromas of blackberry and plum, licorice, black pepper and briar patch, finishing with big but smooth tannins." 

Vinous, 90-92 Points 

"The 2021 Zinfandel Pagani Ranch is bright and nicely lifted. Red cherry/plum fruit, blood orange and sweet spice show lovely vibrancy. The Pagani fruit profile is there, but the textural resonance and mid-palate typical of the best wines from this site are missing. I would have liked to see more depth here. Some very slight vegetal notes lurk beneath. Perhaps bottling will take care of that. The 2021 is 85% Zinfandel and 15% Alicante Bouschet." 

Winemaker Notes: 

"Lucid medium-dark to dark ruby-garnet. Unlike our more red-fruited Russian River Zins, this wine is all about black fruits – blackberry, black cherry, even mulberry. Complicating notes of rich, loamy earth and black pepper add to the wine’s gravitas. On the palate, whoa Nellie! So smooth, so much depth of flavor, with the most incredible glycerin-like texture. Speaking from experience, I can attest that this wine goes down way too easily." 

Alcohol: 15% 

*Price and availability in store may vary. Vintage date may differ from pictured.